Flashed Desire or New Samsung Galaxy S? :(

[Longfellow78]

I'm getting my third Desire today after terrible problems with the first 2, most of which im sure is dodgy Orange firmware.
they told me if I have another problem they will replace the handset.
I'm wondering if I should stick with the Desire (and doubtless dodgy firmware again) and flash it to stock. Or go with a Samsung.
It seems from Reviews and owners that the Samsung is better in almost every area, except build quality, and not having a camera flash.

I don't believe that Sense is a big difference, because you can copy/beat Sense using launcher pro and custom apps/widgets.
The samsung seems to have a bigger and better screen that can be seen in sunlight, a better camera, faster cpu and gpu, more storage, less branding on Orange, a more scratch resistant screen. Also I have used one and I think people think it feels cheap because it's so light, the only actual cheap feeling part is the centre button, otherwise it felt fine, and faster/smoother with a radically better screen. Also has faster HSDPA connection I hear.

I wonder then why the Desire keeps getting better reviews.

I'm torn between sticking with the Desire, and flashing which I don;t want to do because a) I don't want to invalidate warranty, b) I shouldn't have to "fix" a sub-stndard product.

Bascially I'm just having a rant and don't know what to do!

BUT, if you think about what a smartphone is actually for... it's for media, internet and making phone calls, and in these cases a bigger and better screen surely is the most important thing... more important than slightly heftier feel.

Just thoughts.

 

[DMXXX]

If you can get them for the same price than Samsung is the better choice. Desire does IMO have a much better design and I like Sense but that's pretty much it. I would have gotten a Galaxy S if the operators would have had it available in my country.
EDIT: However I think that build quality is very important and while I have no experience with the Galaxy S, I think that if people are saying it feels too light and fragile you should definitely take that into consideration especially if you plan to keep your phone in your pocket.

 

[MisterMoleyMole]

What probs have you had with your desire on Orange?

 

[japester]

I had a Samsun Galaxy i7500. thanks to that phone i would never touch a Samsung Mobile product again.

To quantify.... they nerfed the OS and removed the OTA update facility. Dropped suport for the handset almost immediately and provided a sync suite that was incompatible with the phone!

Thanks Samsung - you made me get a Desire! Every cloud and all that

 

[Longfellow78]

Although the Galaxy is Samsungs flagship phone, and are likely to support it well.
Mistermole I have no internet via 3g, random inability to send and receive texts, random inability to receive or make calls. A dead pixel. Non working FM radio. Erratic bluetooth that won't stay connected. random freezes and crashes, especially when turning on/off 3g. All of those have been in 2 handsets, except the dead pixel.

I love android, but this HTC has been a nightmare also it's unuseable outside in sunlight, no matter what anyone says.
I would like vanilla android but as i said i dont want to have to invalidate my warranty to "fix" a broken product.

 

[loveandroid]

It looks like you have been a "bit" unlucky, beside FM radio issues the desire is awesome.

I made a thread before about basically both phones and due to Samsung bad support reputation, I stayed with Desire.

If Samsung updates to 2.2 I will turn to them but most likely they won't.

So to resume, stay with Desire for now.

 

[zafonic]

I concur what loveandroid says, if you have a Deisre that's in good working order then it really is an awesome phone. With regards to the screen in direct sunlight, yes it could be better, but i can pretty well see the screen most when it's a sunny day.

 

[JohnnyBravo1000]

I haven't had an extensive play around with the Galaxy S, but I didn't think the device is as poorly made as some people make out. Yes, it's got a plastic case/cover, but that is to keep the weight of the phone down. However, when the phone is assembled it doesn't feel as cheap in the hand as I thought it would.

I like the build quality of the Desire. However, it's let down by the fact that some handsets let in dust, possibly whilst being manufactured. Despite the Samsung's plastic-feel, I don't think dust under the screen is an issue?

I'm more concerned with the apparent lag of the Galaxy S, rather than the poor build quality.

 

[Longfellow78]

I tried the galaxy in the shop and although it didn't have many apps on the homescreen, it was surprisingly sharp and smooth when scrolling.
I agree with JBravo, the reports of poor build I think mainly come from the fact it is so light which feels.... wrong. The silver bits on the corners look to me like they may wear in time tho.

Such a hard decision, and I've been reading about horrible GPS reception with the Galaxy, which is also a problem as I want to use my smartphone as a satnav. If my Desire had no problems I wouldn't mind.

I am leaning towards flashing the desire, as i already have a case, spare screen protectors etc. Will have to see what the new handset is like before I decide.

 

[anoniemouse]

I tried the galaxy in the shop and although it didn't have many apps on the homescreen, it was surprisingly sharp and smooth when scrolling.
I agree with JBravo, the reports of poor build I think mainly come from the fact it is so light which feels.... wrong. The silver bits on the corners look to me like they may wear in time tho.

Such a hard decision, and I've been reading about horrible GPS reception with the Galaxy, which is also a problem as I want to use my smartphone as a satnav. If my Desire had no problems I wouldn't mind.

I am leaning towards flashing the desire, as i already have a case, spare screen protectors etc. Will have to see what the new handset is like before I decide.

Samsung have a very poor reputation when it comes to supporting their phones, all you have to do is search around the net.
I will say the super amoled screen is by far the best around though.
Personally i prefer the desire after doing 2.5 months researching the phones available before getting one.
I will say Orange branding is a real pain as i got rid of it on mine.
In future all my upgrades will be through Carphone Warehouse as all their phones are unbranded & unlocked.

 

[MisterMoleyMole]

Haven't tried any of them things you mention yet with mine as dont use bluetooth or FM radio. I am however on my second one from orange due to a knackered earpiece speaker.

How long have you had yours now?

 

[MisterMoleyMole]

Ps.... does just simply debranding the phone also vo the warranty or is it just Rooting that voids?

 

[Kryten2k35]

Samsung phones are horrible, in my opinion. I'd stick with the Desire. Mine's just fine and dandy. Loving. Short battery life, but still loving it.

You don't need to flash it. Just debrand and update to 2.1. Please don't be scared of your warrenty. Orange haven't said a word about my last 3, or so, handsets being debranded when I return them for repairs (they've always given me a fresh handset, which is promptly debranded again)

The only issue I'm going to have with any warrenty is buying a new sim unlock for the new IMEI if I ever have to have a replacement. (which being honest, in a years time this phone is accidently getting dropped and I'll be getting a replacement handset via my insurance)

 

[rasobey]

Fwiw I've just written a letter to ORange HQ listing my problems and what OCS have done to try to recitfy the problem, but without success.

I've said that the only satisfactory solutions would be a new handset of my choice (e.g. Galaxy S) or cancelling my contract.

It is clear - at least to me - the the phone and/or network is not of sufficient quality if I have to turn it off and on at least once a day or only turn 3G on when I want to use the internet.

 

[MisterMoleyMole]

You don't need to flash it. Just debrand and update to 2.1. Please don't be scared of your warrenty. Orange haven't said a word about my last 3, or so, handsets being debranded when I return them for repairs (they've always given me a fresh handset, which is promptly debranded again)

You sure, thats not whats being said in this post.... http://androidforums.com/orange/117725-debrand.html

Who'd right ..... only one way to find out .... FIIIIIIIIIIGHT!

 

[anoniemouse]

Ps.... does just simply debranding the phone also vo the warranty or is it just Rooting that voids?

As you have to root to debrand then yes it does void the warranty.
I have done mine & no regrets as the phone is running & behaving like it was intended too.

 

[nekromantik]

As you have to root to debrand then yes it does void the warranty.
I have done mine & no regrets as the phone is running & behaving like it was intended too.

No you dont need to root to debrand. I got rid of orange firmware the first day I got my phone and that was before the Desire was rooted.


Plus orange have never said to me they wont replace my phone as I got rid of orange firmware as I did that on my Sony Ericsson C905 two times. They replaced it both times without question.

 

[anoniemouse]

No you dont need to root to debrand. I got rid of orange firmware the first day I got my phone and that was before the Desire was rooted.


Plus orange have never said to me they wont replace my phone as I got rid of orange firmware as I did that on my Sony Ericsson C905 two times. They replaced it both times without question.

surely you must have used a goldcard to debrand

 

[Longfellow78]

Unless I'm mistaken you don't have to root to debrand, you use a goldcard to flash (i.e. change firmware) to a vanilla one, which is the debranding process itself (unless the debranding/flashing/glodcarding processes I have read about include a root - which I don't think they do).
Also modifying your handset in any way from stock invalidates the warranty I believe, which would of course include the above.

However, I have never heard of a replacement phone not being given due to debranding. Also phones from Carphone Warehouse/Phones for you etc are debranded as stock, so how does Orange not know that you had one of those phones to start with, as if you got it from CW and it broke, you would still get tech support and/or send it back to Orange no? Not carphone warehouse. So how do they know?

ALSO, I'm not sure if unlocking invalidates the warranty per se, because after you have been on a contract for a few months you can get an unlock code direct from Orange or T-mobile or whoever anyway, and I doubt that invalidates your warranty, so what's the difference? And how would they know if it was unlocked as long as they try an orange sim in it (if they even bother) why would they try another sim?

All I would suggest is make sure if you send it back, it has a standard HTC vanilla ROM and not a custom ROM like cyanogen (or whatever its called). Then if they say something plead ignorance. Say "When I turned it on it asked me to update, so I said yes, and I never really noticed any Orange branding on it, but neither does my friend's from Carphone Warehouse, so I just assumed that's what the phone was supposed to be like" Who are they to disagree? I doubt they will argue if there is no evidence of custom software or mods.

So anyway I have my new black Desire (with a brown battery cover! - if I keep the phone I will get them to send me another one).

I'm going to flash using directions from the sources below, and then install apps very slowly on a trial and error basis to see if they are affecting the phone.

To do this on Orange you need to unlock first, as if you don't when you update to generic 1.15, and the system asks you to update to 1.21, it also updates the radio version, which crashes your phone and disables the wi-fi, because orange locked phones don't like it. If the phone is unlocked this won't happen.

http://androidforums.com/htc-desire/67098-how-flash-debrand-your-desire.html

Updating to 1.15.405.4 / Generic'ifying your T-Mo handset - Android @ MoDaCo

Debranding / Unlocking an HTC Desire - The giffgaff community

WILLIAM ANDREWS: HTC DESIRE ON ORANGE UK: REINSTATING THE ROM - A FOOLS GUIDE

 

[Longfellow78]

GRR, new phone has started to exhibit texting problems, unable to send over and over. Orange told me it down masts... since april.

 

[Burrid]

They say galaxy s is faster than desire?
I laugh: YouTube - Problems with the Samsung Galaxy S GT i9000: black outs

 

[Longfellow78]

Well the 3g problems are definately not app related. I don't have any installed, and after a half day of 3g internet working (slow but) ok, it's back to the old routine, no traffic and texts bounced back etc.

 

[_ray_]

hi guys.. has any1 tried updating to beta firmware on their samsung galaxy s from Orange..?
do you have to debrand it to get the latest firmware or not ?
cheers

 

[Pedro7]

OP, why don't you kick up a fuss with orange? how long have you been with them? im assuming you took out a contract with them for the desire? if so, surely you shouldn't need to compromise and get a different phone because they can't seem to give you a working one. its THEM that need to fix things, if the software is the problem, try get them to send you an unbranded one. personally, the last samsung phone i had (albeit wasn't a smartphone) was awful, their tech support was awful, and the interface was awful and slow. i won't go with a samsung again, whereas my desire has been nothing short of brilliant. personally, i'd stick with the desire, and try and demand your rights as a customer. if you took out a contract with orange on the desire, then you should be entitled to a FULLY working desire, without problems, without hassle and without having to compromise phones. hope you get it sorted mate and let us know how it goes!

or if you'd like, you don't have to listen to me at all

 

[Phenomenological]

hi guys.. has any1 tried updating to beta firmware on their samsung galaxy s from Orange..?
do you have to debrand it to get the latest firmware or not ?
cheers

This is the Desire forum. If you have a question about the Galaxy, you'll get a much more enthusiastic response in the Galaxy forum. This way please.